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Dive into Paradise Lost, the groundbreaking epic that marks the dawn of English literature in its classical form. John Milton, inspired by the greats like Homer, Virgil, and Dante, endeavored...
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Dive into Paradise Lost, the groundbreaking epic that marks the dawn of English literature in its classical form. John Milton, inspired by the greats like Homer, Virgil, and Dante, endeavored to craft a masterpiece that embodies the core principles of the Protestant faith. This remarkable poem, dictated from memory and transcribed by his daughter, stands as one of the most profound works in the English canon. Join us as we explore the original 1667 edition, featuring ten books, a format distinct from the later 1674 edition which restructured it into twelve books, reminiscent of Virgils Aeneid. Discover more in our captivating recording.
This show includes AI-generated content.
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This show includes AI-generated content.
Episodes & Posts
Episodes
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8 NOV 2026 · Eclogues by Virgil.
This book of poems, written between 42 en 39 BC, was a bestseller in ancient Rome, and still holds a fascination today. Held to be divinely inspired not only by the Romans themselves, but by the Medieval Catholic church, The Eclogues is one of the most beloved collections of Latin short poetry.
Featured on Paradise Lost.
Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org). This episode includes AI-generated content.
AI-generated content
7 NOV 2026 · Areopagitica (Version 2) by John Milton.
The noblest and most extensive defense of freedom of the press in English. Although Milton was sufficiently practical to serve as a censor of books himself when his opposition to this practice was ignored by the government, he never lost his conviction that the best way to battle falsehood was to let it have its say and be defeated by the superior power of truth. Strangling infants in the cradle was simply not his style. In this long essay, in the form of a five-part Classical oration addressed to Parliament (the counterpart of the Areopagus or council of elders in ancient Athens), he brings to bear on this subject a wide variety of arguments, including antique precedents, philosophical and religious considerations, and his own experience as a published author.
Featured on Paradise Lost.
Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org). This episode includes AI-generated content.
AI-generated content
6 NOV 2026 · History of Britain by John Milton.
However, much of the scholarly documentation has been omitted from the reading—all except footnotes indicating the years—to avoid cumbersome interruptions. What will be obvious to a listener, though, is that Milton uses earlier chronicles with discretion. He doubts the very existence of Arthur and proposes an ingenious explanation of the origin of his supposed father's name, Uther. When obliged to cite George Buchanan, the world-renowned neo-Latin author and tutor (later detractor) of Mary Queen of Scots, he regularly uses more than a grain of salt, in view of that scholar’s Scottish bias. And as he carefully weighs the reliability of his sources, so he offers his candid opinion of the wisdom and integrity of historical figures. He sneers at the story of King Canute’s famously commanding the rising tide of waves to retire, but not for the reason one might suppose.
Featured on Paradise Lost.
Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org). This episode includes AI-generated content.
AI-generated content
5 NOV 2026 · History of Britain by John Milton.
However, much of the scholarly documentation has been omitted from the reading—all except footnotes indicating the years—to avoid cumbersome interruptions. What will be obvious to a listener, though, is that Milton uses earlier chronicles with discretion. He doubts the very existence of Arthur and proposes an ingenious explanation of the origin of his supposed father's name, Uther. When obliged to cite George Buchanan, the world-renowned neo-Latin author and tutor (later detractor) of Mary Queen of Scots, he regularly uses more than a grain of salt, in view of that scholar’s Scottish bias. And as he carefully weighs the reliability of his sources, so he offers his candid opinion of the wisdom and integrity of historical figures. He sneers at the story of King Canute’s famously commanding the rising tide of waves to retire, but not for the reason one might suppose.
Featured on Paradise Lost.
Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org). This episode includes AI-generated content.
AI-generated content
4 NOV 2026 · Milton's Minor Poems by John Milton.
“On Shakespear 1630” typifies much of Milton’s poetry. By some miracle never yet explained, at age 24 he managed to get a 16-line encomium included in the Second Folio of the Bard’s collected works, 1632. Quite a coup! And this brand new M.A., never before published, used this brief poem to contradict Shakespeare’s chief rival, the great Ben Jonson, whose 80-line panegyric had graced the First Folio eleven years earlier. You will find the same audacity here in the minor poems as in Paradise Lost, which treats of “things unattempted yet in prose of rime.” Even in his paraphrase of Psalm VII, where he takes issue with the King James Version on two points of grammar at the end of the second stanza, he is clearly the man who will write “How few somtimes may know, when thousands err.” Yet for all Milton’s iconoclasm, he knows discipline.
Featured on Paradise Lost.
Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org). This episode includes AI-generated content.
AI-generated content
3 NOV 2026 · Paradise Regain'd (version 2) by John Milton. This episode includes AI-generated content.
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2 NOV 2026 · Samson Agonistes (Version 2) by John Milton. This episode includes AI-generated content.
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1 NOV 2026 · Paradise Regained by John Milton. This episode includes AI-generated content.
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31 OCT 2026 · "Paradise Lost" by John Milton is a profound exploration of the themes of free will, obedience, and the nature of good and evil. This epic poem delves into the biblical story of humanity's fall from grace, depicting the rebellion of Satan and the subsequent consequences that unfold in the Garden of Eden. Milton's intricate language and rich imagery invite listeners to grapple with the complexities of temptation and redemption, making it a timeless reflection on the human condition. The work serves as a cautionary tale about the fragility of innocence and the profound impacts of our choices, resonating with contemporary struggles over morality and authority. Its enduring relevance lies in its ability to provoke thought about the eternal conflicts between light and darkness, freedom and bondage, that continue to shape our lives today. This episode includes AI-generated content.
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30 OCT 2026 · "Selections from Harris's Cabinet" by William Roscoe offers a compelling glimpse into the rich tapestry of historical thought and literary expression. This collection showcases Roscoe's insights, reflecting on the complexities of human experience and the interplay of knowledge and culture. Its enduring themes of intellectual curiosity and the pursuit of truth resonate strongly in today's world, where the quest for understanding remains ever relevant. By immersing listeners in Roscoe's eloquent prose, the audiobook invites a deeper appreciation of the past while encouraging reflection on our present and future. This timeless work serves as a reminder of the power of literature to shape our perspectives and inspire critical thought. This episode includes AI-generated content.
Dive into Paradise Lost, the groundbreaking epic that marks the dawn of English literature in its classical form. John Milton, inspired by the greats like Homer, Virgil, and Dante, endeavored...
show more
Dive into Paradise Lost, the groundbreaking epic that marks the dawn of English literature in its classical form. John Milton, inspired by the greats like Homer, Virgil, and Dante, endeavored to craft a masterpiece that embodies the core principles of the Protestant faith. This remarkable poem, dictated from memory and transcribed by his daughter, stands as one of the most profound works in the English canon. Join us as we explore the original 1667 edition, featuring ten books, a format distinct from the later 1674 edition which restructured it into twelve books, reminiscent of Virgils Aeneid. Discover more in our captivating recording.
This show includes AI-generated content.
show less
This show includes AI-generated content.
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| Author | Legends & Fairy Tales |
| Organization | Legends & Fairy Tales |
| Categories | Arts , Books , Religion & Spirituality |
| Website | - |
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